Cover device for endoscope

Abstract

A cover device which is removably fitted over an endoscope to cover an insert part of the endoscope and a control part connected to the proximal end of the insert part. The cover device includes a tubular sheath for covering the insert part so as to isolate it form the outside, and a control part cover for wrapping the control part. The control part cover is separate from the sheath and spreadably provided in contiguity with the proximal end of the sheath. In addition, a fluid supply tube is disposed such that one end portion of the tube extends through the sheath to communicate with the distal end of the sheath. The other end portion of the tube extends from the proximal end of the sheath along the outside of the control part cover.

We claim: 
     
       1. A cover device which is removably fitted over an endoscope to cover an insert part of said endoscope and a control part connected to a proximal end of said insert part, said cover device comprising: a tubular sheath for covering said insert part so as to isolate it from the outside;   a first securing means for securing said proximal end of said sheath to said proximal end of said insert part;   a control part cover for wrapping said control part, said control part cover being separate from said sheath and spreadably provided in contiguity with said proximal end of said sheath, said control part cover being a flexible sheet having opposed edges, said flexible sheet being wrapped around and secured to said control part so that said opposed edges overlap each other on a surface of said control part; and   second securing means on said control part cover for securing said control part cover to said tubular sheath.   
     
     
       2. A cover device according to claim 1, further comprising cover securing means for securing said control part cover to said control part. 
     
     
       3. A cover device according to claim 2, wherein said cover securing means has a bag portion formed on said control part cover so as to be put on and engaged with a projection of said control part. 
     
     
       4. A cover device according to claim 3, wherein said cover securing means has a hole formed on said control part cover, so as to be engaged with said projection over said first bag portion put on said projection. 
     
     
       5. A cover device according to claim 3, wherein said cover securing means has a second bag portion formed on said control part cover, so as to be engaged with said projection over said first bag portion put on said projection. 
     
     
       6. A cover device according to claim 2, wherein said cover securing means has a detachable member for pressing said control part cover against said control part from the outside thereof, said control part cover being wound around an outer surface of said control part. 
     
     
       7. A cover device according to claim 1, wherein said control part cover is transparent. 
     
     
       8. A cover device according to claim 1, wherein said sheath is provided with an air supply opening for supplying air into said sheath to inflate it, said air supply opening being covered with said control part cover. 
     
     
       9. A cover device according to claim 1, wherein said control part cover is semitransparent. 
     
     
       10. A cover device according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid supply tube disposed such that one end portion of said tube extends through said sheath to communicate with a distal end of said sheath, and an other end portion of said tube extends from the proximal end of said sheath along an outside of said control part cover. 
     
     
       11. A cover device according to claim 10, further comprising tube securing means for securing said fluid supply tube to an outer surface of said control part cover, wherein said tube securing means is provided on said control part, so that said fluid supply tube is secured to said control part together with said control part cover by said tube securing means, said control part cover being located between said fluid supply tube and said control part. 
     
     
       12. A cover device according to claim 10, further comprising a controller for opening and closing a channel formed by said fluid supply tube, which is provided on said control part. 
     
     
       13. A cover device according to claim 12, wherein said fluid supply tube is crushed by said channel open-close controller when the channel of said tube is to be closed. 
     
     
       14. A cover device according to claim 13, wherein the operation of opening and closing the channel of said fluid supply tube by said controller is conducted with said control part cover sandwiched between said control part and said fluid supply tube.